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Columbus and Central Ohio Weather

A strong cold front crossed the state Wednesday evening, accompanied by showers and gusty thunderstorms. Hail, powerful wind gusts and isolated tornadoes came with some of the stronger storms.

Behind the cold front, drier air filtered into the region, providing mostly sunny skies. The afternoon will be pleasant, as readings reach the mid-70s.

The front will stall south of the Ohio River, then lift northward with a disturbance tracking from the central Plains to the Ohio Valley. Showers and storms will move across the state late tonight, ending Friday morning, with a few lingering showers during the early commute.

Skies will gradually clear Friday afternoon, with temperatures in the low 60s.

The weekend looks to be very pleasant and on the cool side, with lots of sunshine. High pressure will edge southeastward from the northern Plains across the Ohio Valley, resulting in a northwesterly flow.

The next chance for showers arrives on Tuesday.

Forecast

• Thursday: Mostly sunny. High 75
• Tonight: Showers, storms late. Low 57
• Friday: Early showers, partly sunny, breezy. High 64
• Saturday: Partly cloudy, cooler. High 58 (44)
• Sunday: Mostly sunny. High 57 (36)
• Monday: Sunny. High 63 (37)
• Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, showers. High 64 (44)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The National Weather Service has confirmed that at one tornado touched down in Delaware County during Wednesday’s wave of severe storms in central Ohio.

The NWS said an EF1 tornado was detected along Fancher Road, between New Albany and Johnstown, with maximum winds estimated to be 90 MPH at 3:56 p.m. Wednesday.

The weather service was still surveying damage in Crawford County and had yet to say, as of 11 a.m., whether a tornado had touched down there.

Donovan Lewis’ family sues Columbus police, city for ‘culture of excessive force’

Bucyrus Police Chief R. Thomas Walker said about 4 p.m. Wednesday the city was struck by what then was perceived to be a possible tornado. The area lost power, and residents were forced to seek shelter due to high winds, powerful rain and flying debris.

Emergency crews were dispatched to assist residents with multiple reports of downed power wires, fallen trees and severe property damage. No injuries were reported.

Officers who spoke with residents said several witnesses observed rotation and the touchdown of a tornado. Police were told the tornado tracked from southeast section of town as it traveled in a northeastern path through Bucyrus.

• Wednesday's severe storms brought down several trees in Bucyrus, Crawford County. (NBC4)
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• Wednesday's severe storms brought down several trees in Bucyrus, Crawford County. (NBC4)
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• Wednesday's severe storms brought down several trees in Bucyrus, Crawford County. (NBC4)
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• Hail fell in Gahanna, Ohio on April 17, 2024. (NBC4 Photo/Brian Hofmann)

Bucyrus police asked residents not to tamper with power lines or attempt to remove tree limbs from the roads. City crews and American Electric Power teams are working to clear the streets and restore power. It remains unknown how long the process will take, though it was estimated that power would be restored sometime Thursday.

Northern Franklin and southern Delaware counties were under a severe thunderstorm warning until 6:15 p.m., along with portions of Madison and Union counties. A tornado warning was briefly issued for Licking County for an indication of rotation near Johnstown.

Counties farther north had tornado warnings between 4 and 5 p.m. Bucyrus police confirmed rotation from a tornado warned cell that caused significant damage to powerlines and trees.

North Franklinton residents evacuated, exit ramps closed after hazmat situation

This storm is added to an already record Spring for severe weather. Twenty-eight tornados have been confirmed in Ohio this year. The yearly average is twenty-two. Storm Team 4 Meteorologist Ben Gelber has experienced more than 40 Ohio springs. He believes this is a trend in our weather patterns.

“We’ve never seen so many tornadoes so early in the season. And that is a byproduct of an unusually warm winter. Very mild ground, very warm water in the Gulf of Mexico, historic warmth. The Atlantic is as warm as it is in July, even though we’re only in April. So, you have all the ingredients or fuel for storms that we never see so early in the season,” Gelber said.

Watch a previous report on the charges against ex-Officer Ricky Anderson for the death of Donovan Lewis in the video player above.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The family of a Black man killed by a Columbus police officer while in bed is suing the city and police department for creating a “culture of excessive force,” particularly against residents of color.

The lawsuit, which will be filed Thursday in federal court, comes from the family of Donovan Lewis. Former Columbus Police Officer Ricky Anderson fatally shot 20-year-old Lewis, who was in bed in his Hilltop apartment, in August 2022 while attempting to serve an arrest warrant. 

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Lewis’ death is emblematic of systemic issues within Columbus police, Cooper Elliot and Wright & Schulte, the firms representing Lewis’ family, said in a release. The firms said excessive force has been a problem within Columbus police for decades – citing a 1998 federal investigation into false arrests, improper use of force and discrimination – and Black residents disproportionately bear the brunt.

"Through this lawsuit, Donovan's family seeks accountability, fair compensation, and systemic reforms to prevent future tragedies like the unjust death of their beloved son and brother," attorney Rex Elliott said in a written statement. "It is imperative that the City of Columbus and its police department address these longstanding issues and commit to meaningful change to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents.”

The complaint singles out the Zone 3 Enforcement Team, a group of officers that, since 2022, has overseen "proactive policing" operations on the west side of Columbus, according to the lawsuit. It was the Zone 3 Enforcement Team that attempted to serve Lewis the overnight arrest warrant the day he was killed.

"The City, Chief, and Columbus Police knew before the police killing of Donovan Lewis that Columbus Police officers faced little or no disincentive from engaging in excessive use of force and regularly failed to comply with the letter or spirit of training and policies on use of force," the lawsuit reads.

The complaint outlines several reforms for Columbus police, including calling for a full Department of Justice investigation into use of force, the publication of all stop and arrest data, and creation of a timeline for the city to update the public on officer-involved shooting investigations, and asks the court to order the department to address the “culture of excessive force and racial animus." Attorneys and Lewis’ mother will have a news conference at 10 a.m. to discuss the lawsuit.

Lewis’ family is already suing Anderson and several other officers who attempted to serve an arrest warrant at the Sullivant Avenue apartment in the early hours of Aug. 30, 2022. Lewis was facing misdemeanor charges of improperly handling a firearm, assault and domestic violence.

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Anderson, who was a K-9 handler, shot Lewis in the abdomen within a second of opening the bedroom door. Lewis was unarmed. 

Body camera footage showed that officers waited a minute before calling for paramedics and approaching Lewis. Officers then carried Lewis down the apartment stairs, at one point dropping Lewis’ upper body, before laying him on the grass outside and rendering aid nearly four minutes after he was shot. His family has argued the officers violated Andre’s Law by not immediately rendering aid and by moving Lewis’ body when he was critically injured. 

The wrongful death lawsuit remains pending in Franklin County court and is scheduled to go to trial in September. 

Anderson retired from Columbus police in bad standing last March. Five months later, a grand jury indicted 61-year-old Anderson on charges of murder and reckless homicide for Lewis’ death. He has pleaded not guilty, and his attorneys have asked for a change of venue due to “voluminous and prejudicial media coverage” and other pretrial publicity. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 22.

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Anderson is one of several former law enforcement officers facing murder charges for killing Black Columbus residents while in the line of duty. 

On Monday, a trial date was set for the second murder trial of Jason Meade, a former Franklin County Sheriff’s deputy who killed Casey Goodson Jr. in the doorway of his grandmother’s house in 2020. Meade retired from the sheriff's office in 2021. A hung jury forced a mistrial in February.

Adam Coy, a former Columbus police officer who killed Andre’ Hill in 2020, is set to go to trial in October after it was delayed multiple times due to his cancer diagnosis and treatment. Coy shot Hill after seeing him in an open garage while responding to a non-emergency call in the area.

Coy was fired from Columbus police a week after he killed Hill, with city officials citing his failure to render aid and turn on his body camera as justification. The city enacted Andre’s Law in 2021, requiring Columbus police officers to turn on their body cameras when responding to incidents and to immediately render aid and request emergency medical services when they seriously injure a person.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Amber, a dog up for adoption at the Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center, is looking for a foster home while she finishes treatment for her condition.

Animal Care Manager Hannah Henschen said the 3-year-old pit bull mix is going through care for heartworm disease. While the condition affects her daily routines for now, it's only temporary.

"We'll be taking care of all that treatment for her. … It's usually over a course of three to six months," Henschen said. "It's not permanent, once we treat it, she'll be cleared of it. … She can go on very, very short walks out to the bathroom, things like that. But no running, no jumping, no excessive activity."

Amber. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn)

Henschen said Amber is a social dog who has gotten along with everyone she's met, including kids. However, she would need to be kept separate from other dogs during her heartworm treatment, and can't go to a home with cats.

Despite the need for less activity during the heartworm treatment, Henschen said Amber can still enjoy lounging with something like a chew toy or a Kong filled with a treat like peanut butter.

Because the shelter has more than 300 dogs in its care, it is offering all dogs over six months old for $18 until April 30. Amber is available for meet-and-greets at the Franklin County Dog Shelter, located at 4340 Tamarack Blvd. in Columbus, and costs just $18 to adopt. Below are some additional dogs up for adoption as well:

Simon. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn) Simon

• Tan medium breed mix
• Young male between six months and two years old
• Microchipped, neutered and up to date on shots

Luca. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn) Luca

• Black, tan and white Australian Shepherd mix
• Adult male between two and five years old
• Up to date on shots

Pebbles. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn) Pebbles

• Black and white medium breed mix
• Young female between six months and two years old
• Microchipped, spayed and up to date on shots

Royce. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn) Royce

• Grey and white terrier and pit bull mix
• Adult male between two and five years old
• Neutered and up to date on shots

LONDON, Ohio (WCMH) – Honeywell is closing another Ohio facility and laying off nearly 100 employees.

The international conglomerate, which manufactures products ranging from thermostats to airplane engines, gave notice to the state on April 11 that, starting in October, it will begin to lay off 98 employees based in London. Honeywell will close its Intelligrated manufacturing facility in London by May 2025.

The layoffs will come in two waves: About three dozen employees will be laid off on Oct. 31, and the remainder will be laid off in December. Most of the employees are machine operators, product assemblers, welders, painters and material control managers.

Some employees are represented by the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers, according to the notice, but the company did not say how many. Those who aren’t union-represented will be offered severance and “outplacement benefits.”

A spokesperson for Honeywell said in a written statement that the company is closing the manufacturing site due to "decreased demand" and in an effort to consolidate the company's footprint.

"This is not a plan we made lightly as we realize this will unfortunately affect valued employees," the spokesperson said.

It’s the third Ohio facility the company has closed – and laid off the corresponding workforce – in less than a year.

Last April, Honeywell announced the permanent closure of its Intelligrated facility in West Chester. It laid off about 223 employees. Months later, in August, the company announced it would lay off 66 employees and close its facility in Fairfield by the end of April 2024.

Honeywell Intelligrated is an arm of Honeywell that focuses on automation technology in manufacturing and distribution centers, according to its website.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- From Bruce Springsteen's long-awaited Nationwide Arena concert and rock band Toto at the Schottenstein Center to an annual walk raising awareness for Ohioans living with HIV, here are things to see and do this weekend in central Ohio.

Clippers vs. Bisons

Huntington Park through Sunday

• The Columbus Clippers face the Buffalo Bisons in a six-game series.

Fury vs. Vibe

Nationwide Arena at 7 p.m. on Friday

• The Columbus Fury face the Atlanta Vibe.

'Unextinct'

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on Friday and Saturday

• Enter a world where 70 extinct and endangered species come to life using tech-driven theatrical illusions, allowing guests to learn about the importance of conservation and the role we all play in species survival.

Tchaikovsky & Prokofiev with the Columbus Symphony

Ohio Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday

• Hear Columbus Symphony concertmaster Joanna Frankel perform Prokofiev’s second violin concerto, a staple of the solo violin repertoire. Also on the program, Rossen Milanov leads the orchestra’s string section in Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw’s "Entr’acte," originally written as a string quartet and later expanded for string orchestra.

AIDS Walk Ohio

Genoa Park at 9 a.m. on Saturday

• A fan-favorite drag queen from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” is taking part in an annual walk to raise awareness for Ohioans living with HIV. 

(Courtesy Photo/Shellee Fisher Photography)

Crew vs. Timbers

Lower.com Field at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday

• The Columbus Crew face the Portland Timbers.

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band

Nationwide Arena at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday

• The concert was originally supposed to take place on March 9, 2023. It was then postponed to Sept. 21 before he canceled the remainder of his tour for the calendar year “out of an abundance of caution," according to a press release.

Bruce Springsteen performs onstage during the 17th Annual Stand Up For Heroes Benefit presented by Bob Woodruff Foundation and NY Comedy Festival at David Geffen Hall on Nov. 6, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Toto | Dogz of Oz Tour

Schottenstein Center at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday

• The total plays of the band’s collected works across all platforms is now approaching five billion. Amongst the most listened to recordings, “Africa” accounts for more than one billion streams on Spotify alone.

WWE Raw

Schottenstein Center at 7:30 p.m. on Monday

• WWE world heavyweight champion Seth Rollins, "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes, Rhea Ripley, Nia Jax, "Main Event" Jey Uso, Damian Priest, Drew McIntyre and more.

Blooms and Butterflies

Franklin Park Conservatory through July 7

• Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Blooms and Butterflies has returned featuring various butterflies from around the world inside the largest indoor biome at the conservatory.

Approximately 12,000 butterflies will be a part of the exhibition this year, with 700-800 butterflies arriving each week. (Courtesy Photo/Franklin Park Conservatory)

Top spring central Ohio events

• This spring in central Ohio is packed with highly anticipated festivals and shows, from the reimagined Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey at the Schottenstein Center and Disney’s “The Lion King” at the Ohio Theatre to the Columbus Arts Festival.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Columbus police are evacuating a one-mile area and highway exit ramps are shut down near the Scioto River, west of Downtown Columbus.

According to Columbus Fire Chief Jeffrey Geitter a Hazmat team has been called to investigate a situation in which a trailer attached to a semi-truck was smoking Thursday morning. At around 5:20 a.m. crews were called to the 1600 block of McKinley Road in North Franklinton, near Grandview Avenue, where a trailer of a semi-truck with Hazmat placards on the side was seen with smoke exiting vehicle.

A large police and fire department presence is at the scene investigating and Geitter said it is considered a hazmat situation because the truck may contain hazardous materials.

Smoke exiting the back of a semi-truck trailer has caused the evacuation of an area in North Franklinton. (NBC4/Ronald Clark)

The incident appears to be around the train tracks next to McKinley Avenue, which is closed in both directions as of 6 a.m. Authorities are evacuating residents within a one-mile radius around the incident as well as people in the COTA maintenance facility on McKinley Avenue.

Also closed are the following exit ramps:

• Ramp to Grandview Avenue from I-670 West
• Ramp to Grandview Avenue from I-670 East
• Ramp to U.S.-40/Broad Street From I-70 East
• Ramp to U.S.-40/broad Street From I-70 West

NBC4 staff has been removed from the immediate area, but will continue to update this developing story.

DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) -- A vacant site sandwiched between office buildings in Dublin could soon be home to a mixed-use development with a five-story apartment building, retail, a restaurant and a dog park.

Plans call for the development to be built on a 16-acre site at the northeast corner of Emerald Parkway and Woerner Temple Road owned by VanTrust Real Estate, according to a proposal submitted to the Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission. An apartment complex with 280 units, 25,000 square feet of commercial space and green space would be among the property's amenities.

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Owner of the site since 2016, VanTrust is asking the commission on Thursday to rezone the site, arguing the property's current zoning which only allows office buildings "is not viable." Neither VanTrust or Duke Realty, who owned the site previously for 15 years, "was able to make office buildings work on this site for a number of reasons," the proposal states.

• Plans call for the development to built on a 16-acre site at the corner of Emerald Parkway and Woerner Temple Road. (Courtesy Photo/Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission)
• Plans call for the development to built on a 16-acre site at the corner of Emerald Parkway and Woerner Temple Road. (Courtesy Photo/Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission)
• Plans call for the development to built on a 16-acre site at the corner of Emerald Parkway and Woerner Temple Road. (Courtesy Photo/Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission)

"We believe the vacant lot could be transformed into a walkable mixed-use development that would provide numerous benefits to the community and the existing office uses which are our neighbors," VanTrust said.

The proposal claims the development would provide "much-needed amenities to neighboring office buildings" including UnitedHealth Group, BMI Federal Credit Union, Farmers Insurance and Emerald EyeCare. VanTrust states the company has gathered letters of support from nearby office tenants and owners.

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While the site is barren and generating almost zero in tax revenue, VanTrust said projections forecast tax revenue or more than $10 million in combined tax revenue to the city and schools over the 10 years following construction.

"This development would enhance the value of the vacant property owned by the city immediately east of the subject site and accelerate and improve the development prospects for the city's site," the proposal said.

The Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission will review the proposal's concept plan on Thursday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Surveillance cameras outside of a northwest Columbus bar captured an alleged robbery in progress nearly one week ago.

According to a Columbus Division of Police incident report, a robbery took place in the parking lot of Yogi’s Bar and Grill on West Henderson Road, near Kenny Road, in the Governours Square area. Police said that on April 12 at 1:41 a.m., an adult male approached the victim outside of the bar and pointed a handgun at him while demanding all of his money.

Anti-violence efforts in Columbus highlighted as fight continues Images from security cameras at and outside of Yogi's Bar and Grille capture a suspect wanted for aggravated robbery. (Courtesy/Columbus Division of Police)

The victim threw all of his cash on the ground before the suspect picked it up and fled the scene. Security cameras were able to capture images of the suspect inside of the bar and outside during the alleged incident.

The suspect is believed to be between the ages of 21 and 23 years old and is wanted for aggravated robbery. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Columbus Police Robbery Unit at 614-645-5665. Persons wishing to remain anonymous may contact Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-4655-TIPS (8477).

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Although many pieces remain in play, efforts to redevelop the North Market continue apace, even as the dining and other stalls remain open through it all.

For CEO and executive director Rick Harrison Wolfe, it's part of being on such a prime piece of real estate in Columbus, at a venue that sees over 1 million visitors each year and is home to some 30 vendors.

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"I like to say we're Boardwalk on the Monopoly board," Wolfe said. "We're the gateway from the Short North to Downtown."

A 36-story tower remains under construction on the site of the former North Market parking lot, with it on schedule to open in the summer of 2026, Wolfe said. That's after construction was initially stalled when it was discovered that the parking lot was built over top of a 19th-century cemetery and that not all the bodies had been moved by the time it had closed.

Look: Merchant Tower construction site in April 2024

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"That was really a huge part of this project to make sure that was once and for all done properly and respectfully," Wolfe said. "I like to say we righted the wrongs of 150 years in that, there were portions of the property that should have been addressed long, long ago."

In 2022, dozens of grave shafts were discovered on what was once part of an 11-acre cemetery. Wolfe said those found during the exhumation process would receive a proper reburial. The cemetery closed sometime in the 1860s, and the market originally opened in 1876.

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Two major changes are coming with construction: the Merchant Building tower and an expanded North Market. The Merchant Building will include a 206-room hotel and residential and office spaces. North Market will gain 15,000 square feet over two stories, including space for 8-9 new vendors. A new plaza and a farmers' plaza will be added, Wolfe said.

Also coming will be space for special events, private events and more. That will help the market financially.

"The market being a nonprofit, we need to come up with all the types of ways we can make a buck," Wolfe said.

Also to that end, Columbus City Council recently approved up to $350,000 for operational support. That came after council approved more than $30 million for the project last July.

Columbus and Central Ohio Weather QUICK WEATHER FORECAST:

• Today: Mild sunshine, high 75
• Tonight: Rain & rumbles, low 58
• Friday: AM showers, some clearing, high 65
• Saturday: Partly cloudy, breezy, high 59
• Sunday: Some clouds, high 58
• Monday: More sunshine, high 63

FORECAST DISCUSSION:

Happy Thursday!

Following a very active evening Wednesday, we've got much nicer conditions on the way for today! Expect mainly sunny skies, with highs warming back into the middle 70s. Wind speeds die down this morning and remain fairly light throughout the afternoon.

Our next system approaches tonight, bringing us rain and rumbles during the overnight hours, and into Friday morning. That rain clears by about mid-morning Friday, then we'll see some clearing into the afternoon. Highs fall back to the middle 60s Friday with a bit of a breeze.

We remain breezy Saturday, but we will be dry. Expect partly cloudy skies, with highs dropping back into the upper 50s.

Certain areas will see the possibility for frost Sunday and Monday mornings, as lows fall back into the 30s. Highs Sunday top out in the mid to upper 50s, with highs Monday in the lower 60s.

-McKenna

BUCYRUS, Ohio (WCMH) - Severe storms rolled through Central Ohio Wednesday afternoon. One of the hardest hit areas was the city of Bucyrus. The Crawford County seat lost power to nearly the entire town.

"Have not had any injuries we've been called out on. That's a very good thing yes," said Chief Chad Schwemley of the Bucyrus Fire Department. The storm also knocked out communication to many of the city buildings including the Fire Department and Police Station. Anyone calling 911 was also unable to get through.

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"Damage was from Aumiller Park all the way through the golf course. So it went from one end of the town to the other, straight through town," Schwemley added.

The power was still out across much of the town when NBC4 left the area late Wednesday night. "They haven't given us a definite time. The last time we checked with the crew they were waiting on parts and stuff. It may be until tomorrow," said Schwemley.

Bucyrus resident Michele Jennings was out of the house with her 15-year-old daughter when the storm hit. Her husband called to tell her there were trees down in the backyard.

• Wednesday's severe storms brought down several trees in Bucyrus, Crawford County. (NBC4)
• Wednesday's severe storms brought down several trees in Bucyrus, Crawford County. (NBC4)
• Wednesday's severe storms brought down several trees in Bucyrus, Crawford County. (NBC4)
• Wednesday's severe storms brought down several trees in Bucyrus, Crawford County. (NBC4)
• Wednesday's severe storms brought down several trees in Bucyrus, Crawford County. (NBC4)
• Wednesday's severe storms brought down several trees in Bucyrus, Crawford County. (NBC4)
• Wednesday's severe storms brought down several trees in Bucyrus, Crawford County. (NBC4)

"There's trees down. Broken, we've got broken windows. It was just chaos. "I have never seen any damage like this in my life. Ever. I cried when I seen it was both of them with trees on them, and we're getting ready to go on vacation," Jennings said with a laugh.

Neighbors and friends were already sawing up tree limbs and clearing their backyard with the little bit of daylight left.

Central Ohio's most accurate forecast

Jennings said, "Our friends come up and started helping us cut up some trees. I'm just like, ugh, thank goodness. Everything will be ok. Power will get turned back on and we'll be fine. We'll be fine."

Just down Charles Street in Bucyrus, Angela McLarnan also returned home after the storm hit. She was in Marion about twenty minutes away and said it was a scary experience there too.

"My son called me on my phone and said mom we're blocked in. I said why are we blocked in," she said. Trees blocked their driveway on Charles St. and in the back of their home. A fifty-foot tree from their neighbors yard was now laying across the closed street with live wires surrounding it. When the tree fell, it missed the family van by just inches.

"The vans always parked right here. Dear Lord help us keep this van," McLarnan said as she recalled her reaction to hearing the tree was coming down.

This storm is added to an already record Spring for severe weather. Twenty-eight tornados have been confirmed in Ohio this year. The yearly average is twenty-two. Storm Team 4 meteorologist Ben Gelber has experienced more than 40 Ohio springs. He believes this is a trend in our weather patterns.

"We've never seen so many tornadoes so early in the season. And that is a byproduct of an unusually warm winter. Very mild ground, very warm water in the Gulf of Mexico, historic warmth. The Atlantic is as warm as it is in July, even though we're only in April. So you have all the ingredients or fuel for storms that we never see so early in the season," Gelber explained.

Bucyrus is largely still without power, but Schwemley said he hopes crews will have the power back on by Thursday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Community leaders and advocates are shining a light on how they address violence in Columbus.

A little over a year ago, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther established the Office of Violence Prevention (OVP). Now it is sharing what it has accomplished in the last year.

Report shows sharp increase of antisemitic incidents in Ohio

Leaders said out of the big cities in the U.S., Columbus has seen the second-largest reduction in homicides so far this year. However, they are cautiously optimistic, saying the work is far from over.  

"We have to stay committed to our comprehensive approach, prevention, intervention and enforcement. We need all three," Ginther said. 

Since the Office of Violence Prevention put its team together, community conversations have been emphasized.

"Columbus is very unique in that we have so much collaboration, which is something that as an office, we are incredibly grateful for because we want to be the conduit of information between all of the different organizations working together," Office of Violence Prevention Director Rena Shak said. 

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Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children (MOMCC) is one of the groups collaborating with the city.

"Having all the entities that we have in Ohio and Columbus working together and moving in the right direction and not going solo is very important," MOMCC Faith Director Rhonda Clayborn said. 

Through community conversations, OVP analyzed the themes people focused on, including how OVP should approach its work and what resources people want to see.

"It is absolutely imperative that the work of our office is driven by the voices of the residents here in the city of Columbus," Shak said. 

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For OVP, 2023 was all about engagement. This year, there will be an emphasis on connecting resources with people.

"That will allow us to really get a deep look into what all of the different types of individuals in our city need from us, whether that is youth, whether that's incarcerated adults, whether that's homeless adults, you name it," Shak said. 

OVP plans to launch data sets this year, including ones that focus on resource access and crime data. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Most people know Ohio Stadium for Ohio State football games and, occasionally, home to soccer and lacrosse.

But for the next few days, The ‘Shoe will evolve into The Range.

A unique golf event is being staged there through Sunday, and for the first time, people can hit a golf ball in a shrine to football.

Upper Deck Golf is putting on golf experiences at 24 stadiums across the country this year, and this is its first-ever venture in Columbus and the first-ever college stadium. Those who take part won’t need their drivers; at most, a pitching wedge will cover the distance to the farthest target down on the field – nine holes of them set up around the stadium.

“Obviously these stadiums weren’t built to do something like this,” Upper Deck Golf Sr. Event Director Nicholas Bonner said. “So working closely with the grounds team and stadium staff to get things like this done is absolutely vital.”

The event at Ohio Stadium was originally set to run for three days, but due to popular demand, it was expanded to five.

“It’s definitely one of our favorite stadiums that we have set up, both logistically and just for a unique experience,” Bonner said.

The event opened Wednesday and will run through Sunday. There are some scattered tee times left. To book a session, click here.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The Anti-Defamation League's annual report shows a major increase in antisemitic incidents in Ohio in 2023. It said reported incidents went up by nearly 300%. 

The ADL said a notable jump happened nationwide following hamas’ October 7 attacks on Israel. The data shows 61 reported antisemitic incidents in the state in 2022 to 237 in 2023. The ADL reports antisemitic incidents went up 140% nationwide following the start of the war. 

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NBC4 spoke with the President and CEO of Jewish Columbus, Julie Tilson Stanley, this week. She said since the October 7 attack on Israel, they’ve taken extra precautions.

“We’ve really doubled down on safety and security,” Tilson Stanley said. “We at Jewish Columbus have provided mental health workers in partnership with Jewish family services for those who are experiencing anxiety around antisemitism.”

The ADL’s annual audit details the nature of these incidents. It also shows where the spikes are happening.

They said a common place where these types of incidents are growing is on college campuses. It names Columbia University, University of Michigan and Stanford University as the colleges with the most antisemetic incidents in 2023.

The report goes on to list specific incidents targeting Jewish students at universities nationwide. They list an incident that happened at The Ohio State University. The ADL talks about vandalism at the OSU Hillel Center in November. Two people were charged for allegedly ripping down Israeli flags and yelling antisemitic slurs.

OSU President Ted Carter addressed this along with several other antisemitic claims made toward the university in the last six months in an interview with NBC4 last week.

“We will hold people accountable that either break the law or do harassing behaviors. So again as I said I can’t tell people how to feel. One of my jobs here is not just to protect one specific group of students but all students," Carter said.

NBC4 reached out to the university for a further response to the new ADL report. Benjamin Johnson, a spokesperson for the university, sent the following statement:

“Ohio State has never – and will never – tolerate discrimination or harassment of anyone based on their religious beliefs, nationality or identity. Since the weekend of October 7, 2023, the university has mobilized to support our community and address the health, safety and well-being of our students.”

The statement goes on to say how President Carter has met personally with Jewish and Palestinian students on campus during his first two weeks on campus. It said since the start of the war, the university has told people on both sides they would do everything they could to protect them.

Jewish Columbus said they spend more than a million dollars each year on security to ensure the safety of all Jewish institutions in the area.

Watch a previous report on the shooting in the video player above.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Hilliard man surrendered to police Wednesday to face charges tied to a fatal shooting at a northeast Columbus house party on Friday.

According to Columbus police, Rashaud Antonio Roberts, 34, of Hilliard, surrendered to Hilliard Police after learning a warrant for his arrest was filed on Tuesday.

Strong storms with intense hail hit Columbus, central Ohio

Police said that on Friday at approximately 11:23 p.m., officers responded to the 2000 block of Lisa Drive for a report of a shooting. At the scene, they found 36-year-old Isaac Price suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said Price was involved in an argument that led to the shooting.

Roberts is scheduled to be arranged on one count of murder in Franklin County Municipal Court on Thursday.

Anyone with any information on the shooting is asked to contact Columbus Police Det. Polgar at 614-581-7112.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Hail of varying sizes pelted central Ohio during severe storms, which rose to tornado warnings at some points Wednesday evening.

Photos and videos captured from Hilliard to Gahanna all showed hail falling around 5:30 p.m. in the Columbus metropolitan area. At the NBC4 studios, hail appeared to be the size of ping pong balls. When it progressed to the Gahanna area, the balls of ice appeared closer to the size of pennies.

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• Hail fell on the NBC4 studios on April 17, 2024, that appeared to be the size of ping pong balls. (NBC4 Photo/Joe Clark)
• Hail fell in Gahanna, Ohio on April 17, 2024 that appeared to be around the size of pennies. (NBC4 Photo/Brian Hofmann)
• Hail fell in Gahanna, Ohio on April 17, 2024. (NBC4 Photo/Brian Hofmann)

The Ohio Department of Transportation had to close a ramp from State Route 161 to Interstate 270 South due to flooding from the storm.

Flooding has closed the State Route 161 East ramp onto Interstate 270 South after storms blew through central Ohio Wednesday. (ODOT)

While Bucyrus police have reported damage from a confirmed rotation, which included structures, powerlines and trees, there was no significant damage reported from the hail as of 6 p.m.

Stay updated on continuing coverage of severe storms in central Ohio with Storm Team 4. View an updated forecast here.

View the player above to watch previous coverage.

DELAWARE, Ohio (WCMH) – Delaware Municipal Court deemed 40 dogs found in heavy chains and swampy conditions were “abandoned” by their owner and assigned custody to the county dog warden on Wednesday.

Now that the Delaware County Dog Warden has custody of the dogs, formal medical care can begin. The Delaware County Humane Society has been caring for 20 of the dogs and is now awaiting documentation from the dog warden to grant them custody. All the dogs need spayed and neutered, with some needing dental work. This medical work will begin tomorrow, according to the humane society.

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Once their medical care is addressed, the shelter will focus on the dogs' behavioral needs, which they said varies from dog to dog. After that, the DCHS said they would look for foster homes for some dogs, while others may be ready for adoption. The shelter stressed that the process is going to take time. 

The county dog warden is currently housing the rest of the dogs. Rico Pet Recovery will be assisting with placing those dogs into foster homes –  founder Marci Dop said there is a “line of people” ready to take the dogs into foster care. 

In early April, the dogs were removed from a Delaware County property on the 7000 block of Kilbourne Road after a video showing their living conditions went viral. In the video, the dogs are shown living in waterlogged patches of mud with only an uninsulated blue barrel for shelter. 

After four years of being on the county shelter’s “radar,” the owner of the 40 dogs is now facing misdemeanor charges, including 26 counts of cruelty to a companion animal and four counts of failure to register a dog or dog kennel. The animal cruelty charges were filed due to multiple dogs having abrasions, sores or scarring where their collars were, with one dog needing its collar cut off. Some charges also claim the owner was housing dogs with others that were hurting them, as well as not providing adequate shelter.

Columbus and Central Ohio Weather

TORNADO WATCH UNTIL 7 P.M.

A tornado watch is in effect for central and western Ohio until 7 p.m. Strong storms will develop this afternoon that could contain damaging winds, hail and isolated tornadoes, especially across the northern half of the state.

A mix of sun and clouds, with breezy conditions, prevail ahead of a cold front that will cross the state, accompanied by gusty showers and a few strong thunderstorms. Temperatures will soar into the mid-70s before the rain arrives.

Behind the front, slightly cooler and drier air will filter into the region later tonight and Thursday. Morning lows will dip into the low 50s.

Thursday will be mostly sunny, with high clouds increasing in the afternoon. The front will stall south of the Ohio River, then lift north as a disturbance develops. Showers and a few storms will move across the southern half of the state Thursday night, ending early Friday.

The weekend looks to be very pleasant and on the cool side, with lots of sunshine.

Forecast

• Wednesday: Mix clouds and sun, breezy, scattered strong storms. High 77
• Tonight: Evening showers, storms, clearing later. Low 52
• Thursday: Sunny. High 75
• Friday: Early shower, partly sunny, breezy. High 64 (59)
• Saturday: Mostly sunny, cooler. High 57 (43)
• Sunday: Mostly sunny. High 57 (36)
• Monday: Sunny. High 64 (37)
• Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, showers. High 64 (44)

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (WCMH) -- Criminal investigators from the Ohio Department of Taxation have been fired after trying to improperly hit a Chillicothe business owner with legal trouble, according to the Ohio Inspector General's Office.

Agents Matthew Shell and Mandowl Nixon were both terminated from their jobs on Dec. 15 and could face potential criminal charges. The inspector general's office accused the pair on Tuesday of filing misdemeanor charges and a tax return citation for their own personal interests.

The charges and citation were a collaborated plot between the agents. The pair made the plan sometime in August 2023 after a police officer told Shell that the officer's wife was having an affair with the business owner they targeted, according to the inspector general's office. The business owner was required to file sales tax returns on a semiannual basis, and Shell and Nixon had determined he missed a deadline in July.

The Ohio Department of Taxation building. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn) What the major road construction projects are this summer in Franklin County

The business owner wasn't on the department of taxation's delinquency list, and so as part of the plan Shell and Nixon checked state records on the man to find his missed deadline. The pair of agents improperly accessed both the STARS and the Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway databases, which contain confidential business tax information and crime evidence respectively. The inspector general's office said the main issue was that the tax agents looked information up in these databases for personal interests rather than a criminal investigation.

An audit administrator from ODT told investigators that the citation they issued was found improper, because the department typically gives business owners or taxpayers notice of a missed deadline 30 days after the due date. After that, they get another 30 days to respond either by challenging or paying their tax bill. Nixon and Shell cited the business owner on Sept. 1 while taxpayers in the same situation would normally have until Sept. 21.

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The inspector general's office sent its findings to the Franklin County Prosecutor, the Ohio Ethics Commission and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation for review. While it normally posts a response from the involved agency with its reports, the Ohio Department of Taxation had not provided one as of 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Read the full report from the Ohio inspector general's office below:

Shell-and-Nixon-Tax-Agents-ReportDownload